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Minister visits Babraham Campus to see how bioscience is promoting economic growth

David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities and Science, will hear about the key role being played by bioscience research and training in promoting growth, job creation and increased quality of life when he visits the Babraham Research Campus on Friday 10 September. The Babraham Research Campus is home to the Babraham Institute, a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Institute undertaking basic biomedical research,

During his visit Mr Willetts will visit the bioincubator facilities, meet with senior scientists from the Babraham Institute and BBSRC and toured the Technology Development Laboratory, which accelerates the development of early-stage bioscience concepts to commercial reality. Mr Willetts will also hear how the Institute’s links with the University of Cambridge, the wider UK research base and international research community are being leveraged to develop skills and training programmes for early career researchers. The skill-set of bioscience researchers, in the private and public sectors, is often cited by bioscience businesses as a key reason for investment in the UK.

Mr Willetts said, “The Babraham Research Campus demonstrates how biosciences are crucial to improving our quality of lives. The campus has a well-deserved global reputation for its contribution to the UK’s strong research base, but today’s visit will also give me a deeper insight into the vital role it plays in opening up opportunities for new jobs, investment opportunities and economic growth that benefit the Cambridge area as well as the rest of the UK.” While at the Babraham Campus Mr Willetts will meet Dr Mike Romanos, Chief Scientific Officer of Crescendo Biologics, a recent spin-out from BBSRC-supported science at the Babraham Institute.

Dr Romanos said, “Crescendo has attracted £4.5M of inward investment to support the development of unique technology to bring next-generation antibodies to the clinic. A key part of our ability to grow, and to generate highly skilled jobs, has been the strong links and proximity to the Babraham Institute, and the facilities of the bioincubator.” Professor Michael Wakelam, Director of the Institute said, “The institute supports BBSRC’s mission to drive advances in fundamental bioscience for better health and improved quality of life. The outcomes of this research have the capacity to not only impact upon health but also to contribute, through translation, to the economic recovery.”

As a BBSRC Institute, the Babraham Institute is contributing to the Council’s strategy to use bioscience to meet major social and economic challenges. The institute undertakes basic biomedical research to understand how cells function and the processes governing healthy ageing and onset of disease. The translation of this knowledge is leading to patents, innovative approaches for therapeutic strategies to tackle health and well-being challenges and the creation of new companies. Discoveries at Babraham have given insight into heart failure, cancer, obesity, inflammatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

Professor Douglas Kell, BBSRC Chief Executive, said, “The Babraham Institute has a central role in BBSRC’s strategic mission in bioscience research underpinning health. The Institute, through Babraham Bioscience Technologies, has taken a unique approach for promoting the translation of publicly-funded research, which is demonstrating the capacity to drive UK growth and economic recovery.”

About the Babraham Institute:
The Babraham Institute undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The Institute is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, through an Institute Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences. Sponsored by Government, BBSRC annually invests around £450 million in a wide range of research that makes a significant contribution to the quality of life for UK citizens and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders including the agriculture, food, chemical, health and well-being and pharmaceutical sectors. BBSRC carries out its mission by funding internationally competitive research, providing training in the biosciences, fostering opportunities for knowledge transfer and innovation and promoting interaction with the public and other stakeholders on issues of scientific interest in universities, centres and institutes.

The Babraham Institute is committed to the
Athena SWAN charter
to promote women's careers in science and advance equality and diversity. We are very pleased to have our work in this area acknowledged with a Silver award under the expanded charter.

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